Social Issues - Free Discussion of all the major issues of elections and society

Social Issues.com Prepares for Launch

SOCIAL ISSUES is an independent, nonpartisan publication devoted to open discussion, wide range of input, sharing research, encouraging debate and analysis of issues in an internet accessible format focused on continuous conversations regarding public policy and all social issues of public concern and relevance. The goal of SOCIAL ISSUES activities is to educate the reader and improve accountability of American institutions by increasing the frequency and quality of dialogue resulting from Social Issues analysis that engages the reader to consider emerging issues and to foster proactive participation into offering practical approaches to those issues in plain language for average readership, common understanding and universal consensus.

SOCIAL ISSUES has dedicated itself to improving the equity of the American democratic process, to addressing the concerns of quality of life and a sustainable future buoyed by the performance of an egalitarian economy, a healthy free society, and the effectiveness of proactive citizen participation in dialogue, the quality of public discourse, and the workings of institutions (public & private, domestic & international).
We've maintained a commitment both to the discipline of the social sciences and in its conferences, publications, and other activities, SOCIAL ISSUES offers to serve as a bridge between scholarship and policymaking, bringing new knowledge to the attention of decision makers and affording scholars greater insight into public policy/social issues.

SOCIAL ISSUES is sponsored in part by COMMUNITY PROGRESS, a grassroots advocacy program and plans to be financed largely by public support and through the support of philanthropic foundations, corporations, and private individuals. All funds are devoted to managing and promoting our publication. Special projects include conducting unique social issue research and educational activities fit into the reporting mission cycle.

An Editorial Board is responsible for the general supervision of SOCIAL ISSUES, approval of its areas of investigation, and for safeguarding the independence of its work. The Publisher is its chief administrative officer, responsible for formulating and setting policies, recommending projects, approving special publications, and selecting staff.

Policy Statement on Nonpartisan, Independent Research

The independence, professional integrity and objectivity of SOCIAL ISSUES research and presentation are among its principal assets. These qualities can be ensured by maintaining the highest standards with regard to the public statements and activities of SOCIAL ISSUES staff, as well as to the policies and practices governing publishing and acceptance of funds from outside organizations or governments. The following policies guide SOCIAL ISSUES in its avoidance of conflict of interest and other problems.

Nonpartisanship. To protect the SOCIAL ISSUES standard of content its editorial policy holds full commitment to nonpartisanship and public access to our articles and website postings. We encourage public feedback and offer all organizations and advocacy groups to list in our on-line directory, post their positions and participate on our website forums. We further protect our non-impartiality through rigorous research of wide range of opinion and opposition voices. We constantly cross check stories for a pattern of responses, balance of positions, expert references and editorial counterpoint.

Volunteer Involvement

As public policy, staff members engaged in political campaigns should conduct those activities outside of usual daily working hours. If a staff member is required to spend time on such activities during the normal workday, he/she should take leave. Staff members, with the exception of the editors and identified representatives of SOCIAL ISSUES, may publicly support a candidate for elective office, but they should make clear they are doing so entirely in their personal capacity, not as SOCIAL ISSUES employees. They should refrain from serving as surrogates for, or representatives of, candidates at public events or media appearances. The staff of SOCIAL ISSUES may provide analysis and recommendations on matters of public policy on a non-discriminatory basis to public officials and candidates for public office, but may not affiliate with any campaign or provide exclusive advice to any candidate, even outside official hours. In order to avoid any appearance of publication endorsement, all staff should avoid public endorsements or personal statements regarding candidates and issue positions. Other SOCIAL ISSUES staff members may provide advice to candidates, but should not affiliate officially with a candidate, a candidate's campaign, or a candidate's policy plan in their capacities as SOCIAL ISSUES employees. Individuals who are not on the SOCIAL ISSUES staff, but who are affiliated with SOCIAL ISSUES, are expected to follow the policies which are reasonably applicable to their situations.

Outside Activities and Employment

A conflict of interest exists when an Social Issues staff associated individual has an external economic or political interest, or commits significant amounts of time to outside consulting or other interests to an extent that affects, or provides an incentive to affect, the individual's performance of his or her SOCIAL ISSUES activities. Conflicts of interest can arise naturally from an staff individual's engagement with the world outside SOCIAL ISSUES, and the mere existence of a conflict of interest does not necessarily imply wrongdoing on anyone's part. Both actual conflicts and the appearance of conflicts are harmful to SOCIAL ISSUES and the individual involved. Disclosure and consultation continue to be the best means for avoiding conflicts of interest. Conflict of interest situations are often complex and judgments may differ on whether a conflict in fact exists. Therefore, the goal of a policy of disclosure and consultation is to prevent a researcher from inadvertently placing himself or herself in a position of conflict.

A staff member who holds a position of responsibility with an external business should make clear to the organization that the obligations, in terms of both time and responsibility, of the staff member to the external organization are limited by and subject to the policies of the SOCIAL ISSUES Institution. Such a notification should also include a statement that the external organization should not be construed to have any formal or informal relationship with SOCIAL ISSUES simply because of the affiliation of the staff member with SOCIAL ISSUES. In addition, when publishing, testifying or otherwise communicating outside of SOCIAL ISSUES, a staff member must indicate to the intended audience that the views expressed are those of the staff member and do not necessarily reflect the views of other staff members, officers, affiliates or trustees of SOCIAL ISSUES.

Financial Conflicts. A conflict of interest may exist if a staff member owns significant[1] stock or equity in a commercial enterprise and that person's research or other professional duties are closely related to the activity of the enterprise. If a researcher has significant stock or other equity interest in a commercial corporation or does outside consulting for the company, it may not be permissible for SOCIAL ISSUES to receive funding from that organization for research conducted by that individual for SOCIAL ISSUES (no self-dealing). For non-research staff, it may be appropriate to recuse oneself from SOCIAL ISSUES financial decisions involving the external commercial enterprise in which the employee owns stock or equity or has a consulting relationship. Staff members who enter into external consulting or other agreements must take care that these are not in conflict with the obligations under any sponsored grant or contract, or any other policies of SOCIAL ISSUES.

Disclosure. To monitor for conflicts of interest and provide guidance with regard to specific activities, SOCIAL ISSUES requires scholars and officers to file an annual disclosure statement of their outside interests, insofar as they are related to their research or administrative responsibilities. Such statements will be completed as part of the annual performance appraisal process and shall be kept confidential, and shared only with those with a need to know.

Review Committee. In keeping with the collegiality of the SOCIAL ISSUES environment, a Review Committee shall be established, consisting of the President, the Director of each research program, the Vice President for Finance and Administration and the At Large Member of the Planning Committee. Any questions that arise should be discussed first with one's supervisor. If necessary, they may be referred to the Review Committee, which shall determine whether an apparent or actual conflict of interest exists, and, if so, by what means the conflict should be avoided or managed.

Sponsored Research. Any arrangement between SOCIAL ISSUES and an organization or government that funds research projects is considered sponsored research. These arrangements must not:

• Inhibit free dissemination of results of scholarly activity and research.

Acceptance of confidential background information must not be permitted to affect the ability of investigators to openly publish all the results of sponsored research. Researchers and article contributors may agree not to include confidential background information in publications so long as such omissions do not affect the overall scope of the research.

• Stipulate any predetermined result or policy stance, either personally or publication only publicly.

Any questions about the propriety of restrictions or parameters placed on research by corporate, foundation or government sponsors should be referred to the Review Committee.

[1] Significant financial interest can be defined as $5,000 in annual income or 5% of equity ownership. However, especially in connection with equity, the appearance of conflict could arise even at a lower figure.

Policy Statement on Integrity of Publication

SOCIAL ISSUES is committed to independent, nonpartisan research and publication of a diversity of opinion and perspective. The editorial staff and advisory board agree to maintain the highest level of integrity in pursuit of this mission.
If anyone has reason to believe that plagiarism or other misconduct has occurred, he/she should report the incident to the editor of SOCIAL ISSUES. The editor will decide whether the complaint warrants an investigation. If the editor(s) so decides, he/she will conduct an investigation within 30 days, or appoint a committee to conduct the investigation on his behalf within that timeframe. As part of the investigation, the contributor accused of misconduct will have the right to review the allegations and respond. If no evidence of plagiarism or misconduct is found, the editor will respond accordingly to the person making the initial charge. If there is evidence supporting the allegation of misconduct, the editor will appoint a committee to investigate the allegations more fully. The results of this investigation will be communicated to the complainant in a timely fashion. SOCIAL ISSUES will ensure that there is no retaliation against a complainant who, in good faith, makes allegations of misconduct.